Granddaughter of Dr. Norman Borlaug to Speak at Nobel Peace Prize Forum on March 9

Julie Borlaug, granddaughter of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, known worldwide as the father of the Green Revolution, will speak at the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Forum March 8-10 in Minneapolis.

“The Power of Ideas: People and Peace” is the title of the forum, now in its 25th year, which will take place on the adjacent campuses of Ausburg College and the University of Minnesota West Bank.

Borlaug will speak at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on March 9 in the Marshall Room of the Christensen Center at Ausburg College on the “New Green Revolution.”

“I’m honored to be asked to speak since my grandfather, who led the first Green Revolution, was a speaker at the first Nobel Peace Prize Forum a quarter-century ago,” said Borlaug, associate director for external relations at the Borlaug Institute for International Affairs, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. “A new revolution would build on the agricultural development successes my grandfather was deeply involved in over the past half century.”

Borlaug said some of the greatest achievements of her grandfather, who died in September 2009, included developing improved wheat varieties; educating and preparing future generations of scientists; and creating collaborations among policymakers, scientists, and the public and private sectors to bring advancements in agricultural research to farmers.

She said a second green revolution is needed and must provide small-scale farmers throughout the world with better seeds and agronomic practices to increase their productivity and profitability.

“It also must be cognizant of reducing deleterious environmental side effects and improving the nutritional content of the food produced,” Borlaug added.

She said she was proud to be co-presenting at the forum with Gary Toenniessen, managing director of the Rockefeller Foundation, who provides strategic direction for and leads agricultural development initiatives for the foundation.

“My grandfather has been credited with having saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived,” she said. “And his mission continues today as those following in his footsteps seek to identify solutions to address global food challenges.”

Following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Borlaug has been involved in international agricultural development projects and activities throughout the world since 2006.

“Like my grandfather, I am proud to be involved in helping address peace through food security by finding solutions to the world’s agricultural needs,” she said. “I’m hoping to help inspire others to join in a new green revolution and dedicate their knowledge and expertise to this worthy global effort.”

For more information on the Borlaug Institute, go to http://borlaug.tamu.edu/.

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